Congregational Compassionate Ministries
Congregational Compassionate Ministries of Saints Care are varied, individually created by congregations to respond to their local community’s unique needs. However, all congregational compassionate ministries seek common outcomes, including: service of human needs; healthy families; personal wholeness and meaning; and strong communities of joy, hope, love and peace.
Approved projects must demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Saints Care values of compassion, empowerment, integrity, community, professionalism, and the worth of all persons.
Examples of congregational compassionate ministries support by Saints Care include:
Homestead Community Café–Guildford
This program is an initiative of the Guildford congregation with the first Homestead Community Café happening in November 2003.
The aim of the ministry is to bring together culturally and linguistically diverse, frail, aged and disabled persons, making it possible for them to make new friends, combat social isolation, build community spirit and celebrate diversity using food as the medium.
Participants are given opportunities to socialise, participate in fun activities, tell their personal stories through life story books and to enjoy music, dance, performances from diverse cultural groups and to listen to speakers.
The Homestead Community Café–Guildford is held every Wednesday in the hall of Guildford congregation.
Adelaide; Community Café
The Community Café is an initiative of the Adelaide congregation and commenced on 5 June 2001. The service provides in excess of 2,000 meals each year and provides a regular opportunity for fellowship and support for the participants. In addition to the regular weekly meal, the Community Café also provides an annual Christmas dinner attended by about fifty persons, which is provided without charge.
SaintsCare provided establishment costs and costs for the first year of operation. Grants were also provided by Community Benefit SA and the City of Marion which enabled growing demand to be met by providing funds for a commercial type refrigerator and upgraded freezer. The Community Café now runs independently of funding with low cost food from Foodbank SA and donated food from the food industry to people in need. Bob Wood is the chair of the committee responsible for this ministry.
Brisbane; Hope Community Care
Hope Community Care was born around Easter 2002, following visits by Lorraine Kerswell to the Alpha Accommodation Centre (AAC) and other places where the homeless and home-disadvantaged were to be found in Brisbane. Lorraine, moved by the needs that she saw, discussed the situation with other members of the Brisbane congregation, Community of Christ. In response a group was set up to deliver food and clothing to the needy in the AAC and to assist in meal preparation.
The project continues to receive strong support from the community in forms of donations of cash and materials.
The Alpha Drop in Centre was established in the park and opened in 2007. It is staffed by Lorraine Kerswell and a number of volunteers.
Tuncurry; Thursday Club
The Tuncurry congregation initiated a ministry to senior persons who were isolated or who needed social interaction in the community. The participants are collected by volunteers and meet for a meal, games, listening to speakers, entertainment and a sense of community.